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Department

Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures

Interested in the diversity of cultures in the world and the relationships and understanding that come from communicating in a foreign language? The study of languages and cultures will prepare you to engage more fully and thoughtfully in the interdependent global community of today.

Why Study a Foreign Language?

We believe that it’s not enough to be fluent in a language—you must also understand the people who speak it: their history, their traditions, and their culture. Studying a language at Assumption means learning how to communicate effectively, yes, but it also means immersing yourself in different regions of the world. You will explore the history, literature, arts, and customs of other cultures. Through broadening your horizons, you will become more open-minded, a standout job candidate, and a better citizen.

Taught by a dynamic faculty, our courses in French, Italian, Latin, and Spanish are small and interactive. In addition to speaking and reading the language in class, students watch films, make videos, listen to songs, and even play games to gain language facility and an appreciation of the culture.

The study of languages helps you improve your oral and written communication skills, and also expands your capacity for critical thinking and examination. In fact, the type of analysis you perform on texts and films in your chosen language will help you in any future career, from lawyer to teacher to business professional.

Assumption University offers a major and minor in Spanish and minors in Italian Studies, the Italian Language, and Latin American Studies. Students who wish to teach Spanish double major in Spanish and Education. In addition to our majors and minors, courses in French and Latin are offered at the beginning and intermediate levels each semester.  Advanced-level French and Latin courses are taught according to student interest and demand, sometimes as Independent Studies.

 

  • The Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures cultivates students’ understanding of diversity and global perspectives by introducing them to the rich cultural traditions and literary expression of the civilizations we study. By engaging multiple cultures, we prepare our students to be thoughtful and compassionate citizens of a global community, thus supporting the mission of the University. In keeping with the liberal arts tradition, our programs ensure that students not only improve their ability to communicate in the target language—both orally and in writing—but also develop skills of critical thinking and content analysis. Our majors prepare students to use their linguistic, cultural and critical skills in their careers, advanced studies, and other future endeavors. The Department embraces the central educational values of Assumption University and its pursuit of academic excellence


Language Placement Information


Italian Studies

Undergraduate

Spanish

Undergraduate

Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures Faculty and Instructors

Maryanne L. Leone, Ph.D
Professor of Spanish Department Chair, Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures
Richard Bonanno, Ph.D
Professor of Italian
Gennifer Dorgan
Adjunct Instructor of Latin
Juan Carlos Grijalva, Ph.D
Professor of Spanish
Arlene Guerrero-Watanabe, Ph.D
Associate Professor of Spanish
Esteban Loustaunau, Ph.D.
Professor of Spanish Director of the SOPHIA Program Director of the Center for Purpose and Vocation
Robert Silveri
Adjunct Instructor of Spanish
Ana Belén Simpson
Adjunct Instructor of Spanish
Kathleen Suchenski
Lecturer of French

Modern and Classical Languages and Cultures at Assumption

  • Develop proficiency in the spoken and written language while exploring social questions and French-speaking cultures in Europe, Africa, North America, and the Caribbean.

  • Achieve advanced proficiency in the spoken and written language while also developing a general appreciation of Italian culture.

  • Develop a greater knowledge of the Italian language and an understanding of the Italian way of life as seen in the social structure, political institutions, economy, arts, and culture of Italy.

  • Learn the essentials of Latin, the language of the Church and of classical writers such as Cicero, Lucretius, Ovid and Virgil, and explore the culture of Ancient Rome.

  • Strengthen your awareness of cultural diversity. Through this interdisciplinary course of study, you will learn about the societies of the region and understand the complexity of their history, political and economic systems, social structures, and literary and artistic expression.

  • Achieve proficiency and fluency in the spoken and written language. You’ll become knowledgeable about Hispanic cultures, and read (and enjoy) with critical appreciation representative works of the principal authors of Spain and Latin America.